We get nailed by China
The New York Times has an article today that nails the dynamics between the U.S. and China.
China faults U.S. policy on economy
Chinese officials seem to be galled by the apparent hypocrisy of Americans telling them what to do while the American economy is at best stagnant. China, on the other hand, has maintained its feverish growth.
Yup. Nailed the Chinese point of view along with China's favorite adjective for America: hypocrisy. That adjective strikes me as appropriate in this context, however China doesn't always use it appropriately. It is often used simply to disparage American democracy in the eyes of people who have no direct experience with democracy.
The article goes on to say, Some officials are promoting a Chinese style of economic management that they suggest serves developing countries better than the American model, in much the same way they argue that they are in no hurry to copy American-style multiparty democracy.
The Chinese may be right about this. Americans tend to recommend our systems on countries with whom we have little in common; then we are shocked when it doesn't work. As I wrote in my last post, the Chinese government constantly used Russia as an example of what can happen with democracy. That country went directly from a totalitarian, socialist (we call communist) government to democracy and the economy crashed.
Another example: our imposition of democracy in Iraq. I believe in democracy, but I also understand it is a complicated form of government and by definition arises from the people. The Chinese again do not see that transition as favorable. I'm with them on this.
Chinese officials and state news media have suggested that the relatively quick mobilization of the Chinese Army during the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province contrasts favorably with the Bush asministrations' reaction to Hurricane Katrina.
George and his cronies gave the Chinese great material to use against us. No need for Chinese propaganda when George is our president. Please get him out of here, so we can get back to real democracy and intelligent economic policies.
Of course, the Chinese take it too far. The Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission accused the American government of creating a turmoil "counteracting the course of global civilization." Oh please, spare us the histrionics!
The article also mentions the artificially low value of the Chinese currency renminbi and the Chinese criticism of America allowing the value of the dollar to plunge. It seems we have the pot calling the kettle black.
China faults U.S. policy on economy
Chinese officials seem to be galled by the apparent hypocrisy of Americans telling them what to do while the American economy is at best stagnant. China, on the other hand, has maintained its feverish growth.
Yup. Nailed the Chinese point of view along with China's favorite adjective for America: hypocrisy. That adjective strikes me as appropriate in this context, however China doesn't always use it appropriately. It is often used simply to disparage American democracy in the eyes of people who have no direct experience with democracy.
The article goes on to say, Some officials are promoting a Chinese style of economic management that they suggest serves developing countries better than the American model, in much the same way they argue that they are in no hurry to copy American-style multiparty democracy.
The Chinese may be right about this. Americans tend to recommend our systems on countries with whom we have little in common; then we are shocked when it doesn't work. As I wrote in my last post, the Chinese government constantly used Russia as an example of what can happen with democracy. That country went directly from a totalitarian, socialist (we call communist) government to democracy and the economy crashed.
Another example: our imposition of democracy in Iraq. I believe in democracy, but I also understand it is a complicated form of government and by definition arises from the people. The Chinese again do not see that transition as favorable. I'm with them on this.
Chinese officials and state news media have suggested that the relatively quick mobilization of the Chinese Army during the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province contrasts favorably with the Bush asministrations' reaction to Hurricane Katrina.
George and his cronies gave the Chinese great material to use against us. No need for Chinese propaganda when George is our president. Please get him out of here, so we can get back to real democracy and intelligent economic policies.
Of course, the Chinese take it too far. The Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission accused the American government of creating a turmoil "counteracting the course of global civilization." Oh please, spare us the histrionics!
The article also mentions the artificially low value of the Chinese currency renminbi and the Chinese criticism of America allowing the value of the dollar to plunge. It seems we have the pot calling the kettle black.
It is an interesting entry. I have often been struck by how often W criticizes another country--and this administration has been the master of that sort of behavior.
I think the idea that the Chinese have an entirely different way of thinking is interesting, and probably an unfamilar concept to most Americans. I think it's a good idea to let people in on this idea--about Iraq, Iran, many other countries.
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Hey, Ginny, thanks for your comment! I got me thinking and writing and then I realized I had more to say about the article. So, I wrote another post on the article. And I still feel unfinished!
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